“We specialize in helping SENIOR DOGS improve their INDEPENDENCE with their daily routine, so they can live their GOLDEN YEARS without the need of pain medication”

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Chicago Clinic


TheK9PT is Chicago’s highest rated dog physical therapy and rehabilitation clinic! We have been in business since 2017, and in 2020 we opened a state-of-the-art facility that is designed like no other dog rehabilitation clinic in Chicago. We kept in mind our positive reinforcement and fear free type of approach, and each dog have their own room for the whole session and does not need to come into contact with any other dogs during their appointments. We are conveniently located in the Mayfair/Irving Park neighborhood, just 1/2 mile off the I-94 expressway at 4521 W. Lawrence Avenue. Our clinic is easily accessible to the greater Chicagoland area, even during high traffic times. Parking will NEVER be an issue as we are proud to offer FREE and CONVENIENT parking with two exclusive parking spots available to our clients directly in front of the clinic. Assistance will be provided if you need help getting your pet in or out of your car. 

TheK9PT Chicago parking and storefront
TheK9PT Dog Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Entrance
TheK9PT Dog Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Gym

Here’s What Other Pet Parents Like You Are Saying About the Outstanding Care they received at TheK9PT, Chicago’s Highest Rated Dog Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Clinic…

Kiersten Regelin
Kiersten Regelin
2023-08-31
Highly recommend! We traveled from East Hyde Park to West Albany Park for fourteen sessions of FHO PT, and it was worth the hike every time. Dr. Alex and McKena were awesome from intake, all the way through the doggie rehab. We are so grateful for the exceptional customer service and that PetsBest insurance covered a substantial portion of the cost.
Agnes Vongkhamsay
Agnes Vongkhamsay
2023-05-23
My girl tore her CCL. After getting a consultation for CCL surgery (not good experience), I did my own research and decided to try the conservative route with K9PT. I’m beyond glad I did. Dr. Kristin got my girl to walking like normal and playing like normal. It’s been over a year since her tear and she’s still doing well. I’m so glad we were able to avoid surgery, potential complications from that, and the hard recovery. At least for now. Aside from my girl’s great results, the service and level of professionalism at K9PT has been exceptional. I’m moving out of Chicago soon and am bummed we won’t be able to meet on a monthly cadence, but plan on making the two drive periodically for sessions because they are sooo good.
Sierra
Sierra
2023-05-10
We've really loved our time at thek9PT and with Dr. Kristin Massey, and this review is far overdue. Unfortunately we're moving out of the state, otherwise we would certainly be continuing PT here for the rest of Copper's life. We brought in our senior Border Collie mix pup who has had a lot of health issues ranging from bilateral TPLO, patella luxation, mitral valve disease, and Addison's Disease. His AD makes him very nervous and sometimes aggressive, but he surprisingly loves every single person that he's met who works in the office, and especially Dr. Massey. Just mentioning, "Are you ready to see Dr. Kristin?!" and he starts crying out with excitement. We came to see her at a really low point when he wasn't moving around very well, had lost a lot of muscle mass in his rear legs, and just wasn't feeling great in general. He's a frisbee lover and is incredibly active, as Border Collie's are, so telling him he can't play frisbee has been devastating for him. But Dr. Massey managed to build back his rear muscles and has really transformed his quality of life in more ways than one. I can't explain how many doctor's appointments we've been to - so many that he started becoming terrified of trips in the car, which he used to enjoy so much. But he really looks forward to going to thek9PT and it's helped with his car anxiety. We did try calling multiple rehab facilities recommended by our vet but none provided the compassion and empathy that I felt when I spoke to someone from thek9PT. I think we spoke for 30 minutes or more initially to make sure it was a good fit for everyone and they listened as I explained every single bit of of Copper's health history since he was born (and there's a lot). Even our vets haven't paid this much attention to his history. Honestly that meant so much to me in a moment when I wasn't being heard by many other professions, so I truly appreciate their kindness and compassion. And now Copper can play a "light" version of frisbee (in short doses)! I highly recommend this organization to anyone who has a dog needing rehab but especially to senior dog owners. If your dog has mobility issues, rehab could really help extend their lives and you should definitely consider thek9PT.
Patricia Chambers
Patricia Chambers
2023-04-30
I had a great experience at TheK9PT. When we started my 14yr.old Shih Tzu Gizmo had an unwitnessed injury thought to have possibly been a fall down the stairs. He was dragging his back legs and his feet were turning under. Our regular vet recommended we see a neurologist, but I found that is virtually impossible in Chicago in any reasonable amount of time. I found The K9PT in an online search and called to see if they might be able to help Gizmo. They were so kind and reassuring during our initial interview. No promises were made, but they felt certain they could improve his mobility and ease his pain. Our therapist was very patient and had no problem dealing with Gizmo’s limited sight. He taught me how to continue with the exercises between our twice weekly visits. In a short time his strength increased and his legs straightened. We are 6 months post injury and Gizmo is stronger than before it.
Jen Levine
Jen Levine
2023-04-26
Our 11 year old Havanese Poodle had been limping for sometime and I was lucky to find K9PT after trying another PT in the city. Our pup is in a way better place. His improvement took some time but it has had a dramatic affect on his well being. He’s a much happier pup. We continue to go for maintenance and I can tell when it’s been too long between session. I tell everyone how incredible this place is.
Rianna Leighton
Rianna Leighton
2023-04-21
The K9 PT is by far the best medical office (human or animal) that I have ever interacted with. The reception staff are so helpful and communicative, and Dr. Kristin is phenomenal. Everyone goes above and beyond. The care is completely customized to the dog and their temperament, and they always make me feel like my dog is the most important dog. They are always available for questions, even if you've asked the same question at multiple visits. They are honest about progress assessments. The K9 PT doctors and staff clearly care about their paw-tients and their human companions. They want to work as a team with you to get the best outcome for your pup, and I've seen tons of progress with my dog over the visits and with doing the at-home exercises. I can't recommend or thank Dr. Kristin and the K9 PT enough.
L W
L W
2023-03-16
We adopted our puppy as a rescue and he developed hip dysplasia within his first year. At one point, he couldn't walk a block without laying down to rest, was on a lot of medication, and a candidate for total hip replacement. With K9PT's help he is a mostly pain free, lively pup, off pain medication and doesn't need surgery. He LOVES Kristin and everyone at K9PT and gets super excited when we tell him it's time to go to PT.
Christine Bortman
Christine Bortman
2023-03-14
TheK9PT is great! My older dog has been seeing Dr Alexander and he is wonderful !! We are seeing great results! Highly recommend this place
Michael Busking
Michael Busking
2023-03-13
Our rescue pup, Faith, had a FHO surgery to relieve pain of bone on bone rubbing. TheK9PT was recommended by my vet and not only was I thrilled with the after surgery care we received but the Shelter we got her from has become a fan as well. Pricing and performance cannot be matched.
Marc G
Marc G
2023-03-10
I took my dog (1/2 German Shepard and 1/2 Belgium malinois) to K9 physical therapy for right shoulder pain/arthritis. She was limping and in pain. The PT took her time, thoroughly assessed my dog , explained how treatment would look & also treated my dog 1st session. K9 PT gave us a plan of care & also things I could do at home to help my dog (massage, range of motion etc...). As a physical therapist myself I appreciate the one on one time the PT took with us & the passion exhibited by the therapist. I could tell they really cared

We understand that you may want to find out more about cost and availability BEFORE booking a dog physical therapy & rehabilitation appointment for your pet. If you want to know how much it costs and what availability we have, please click the button below and complete a short form:

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How can we help you?

We have put together some of the best educational content for pet parents in a series of newsletters on several topics and conditions. Download our newsletters (currently free) ​to start helping your pup right away…


The Truth About Arthritis in Dogs


Intervertebral Disc Disorder (IVDD)


Hip Dysplasia – Surgical & Non-Surgical


Post-Surgical ACL/CCL Care


ACL/CCL Conservative Management


Want help deciding if dog physical therapy & rehabilitation can help your pup?

Choose the option that works best for you…

Free Phone Consult

We realize some pet parents may be unsure if dog physical therapy and rehabilitation is right for their pet. It could be that you’re not sure it will work, or whether we can help with your pet’s current issues, or maybe you had a bad experience with rehabilitation in the past. We would love to chat with you to learn more about your pup and see if we are a good fit to help you, please fill out the short form below and tell us more so we can better answer your questions:

Free Phone Consult

Talk to a Doctor First

It is okay if you are not ready to book an appointment for dog physical therapy and rehabilitation right now. Perhaps you have questions and think it would be good to talk to someone at TheK9PT first so you can be 100% sure that we can help you. Perhaps you have tried some form of canine rehabilitation before without much success. That is completely understandable, and if that is the case please click the button below and fill out a short form to schedule a call. We would have no issues answering all the questions you have over the phone, completely free:

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Frequently asked questions

Just like humans, dogs who participate in rehabilitation programs after surgery are more likely to achieve an optimal outcome compared to those who skip it. Post surgical rehabilitation through activity will help keep blood pumping nutrients to the healing tissues as well as stimulating your pup’s mind to prevent boredom and depression. Getting your pup up and moving and putting weight on the post-surgical leg sooner rather than later decreases the risk of injury to the opposite leg, muscle atrophy and loss of strength on the surgical leg. A standard post-surgical CCL rehab program at TheK9PT more often than not consists of 10 rehab sessions in total spread over a 5-6 month period, with more frequent sessions in the first 4-6 weeks before we start spacing those sessions out as pet parents start to progress their home exercise program. To learn more, visit our page here.
Whether hip dysplasia can be treated best conservatively or with surgery depends on the severity of the condition as well as the dog’s age. In some cases, surgery may be warranted to provide the best possible outcome for a dog with hip dysplasia. Before opting in for surgery, it is important to be aware of all the alternatives available that may help to manage the condition more conservatively. A healthy diet and weight, joint supplements, daily exercise and pain medication when necessary can do wonders for managing this common condition. Our goal is to offer much in the way of improving your dog’s quality of life through education, manual therapy and exercises specific to your dog’s condition. To learn more, visit our Hip Dysplasia page here.
We work with your regular veterinarian to create a successful rehabilitation program specifically for your pup. A specialist will educate you on proper mechanics of exercises so you can work with your pup to maximize the results of treatments. Our staff also provides information on how to create a safe home environment during the recovery period to minimize risk of reinjury. We also emphasize educating pet parents through teaching exercises that they can do at home as for us that is likely the most important aspect of a successful rehab program. We love working with pet parents who want to feel empowered in their dog’s recovery, and that model has been a win-win for everyone as it has allowed us to achieve tremendous outcomes with our patients while decreasing the frequency of visits needed during a rehab program when compared to other rehab clinics.
A degenerative disease affecting intervertebral discs, which are found between most of the bony vertebrae in the spine. Composed of fibrocartilage, they are like cushions for the spine, acting as shock absorbers and enabling mobility. The disc is similar to a jelly donut. It has a fibrous outer layer and a gelatinous, jelly-like inner layer. IVDD refers to weakened discs more capable of rupture or herniation, which is what happens when that jelly-like substance leaks out into the area of the spinal cord and connected nerve roots. IVDD can be treated conservatively or with surgical intervention, but ultimately the severity of the symptoms will determine that decision. No matter if a dog has had surgery or not, it’s important to get the right treatment from a qualified canine rehab therapist to ensure your pup lives a happy and pain-free life. Read more about how we treat IVDD here.
Dog physical therapy and rehabilitation is focused on optimizing the patient’s response in relation to function versus just on a specific medical diagnosis. The medical diagnosis provided by your veterinarian is important, but even more important is for us to assess each dog to determine how that diagnosis is affecting them. No dog is the same, and each one of them responds differently to an injury or rehab program, therefore it is important for us to develop a rehabilitation program tailored specifically to each pet. We work hand in hand with your veterinary team who manages all medical issues and medications while we work to restore your pet’s function and mobility.
The best way to get your pup moving again, whether that means taking them on walks, playing fetch at the park, or jumping into bed, is to intervene with a tailored exercise program. The program does not need to be complicated, but it does require a progressive approach to give your pup the comfort that they deserve. During the first phase of our rehab program we will focus on getting your pup feeling and moving better, so we can then focus on teaching you a progressive exercise approach always with an emphasis on teaching you what to do at home with your dog. We need a solid foundation to build a house, and to help our aging dogs we need to build their foundation through a progressive and consistent strengthening program that you can follow at home.

The best way to answer this question would be to start by going over “the cycle of arthritis”. We need to understand that arthritis is a normal part of the aging process, both for ourselves and our pets, and the best thing that we can do is to be proactive rather than reactive. Arthritis can be asymptomatic as well, but once our pups start to show symptoms then we definitely need to start being more proactive than before.

The cycle starts when a pup with arthritis starts to show signs of joint inflammation, which can lead to pain, discomfort, and stiffness. As they feel stiff they tend to be less active, and if we let that happen over time they would lose muscle mass while also gaining weight. With added weight the pressure on their inflamed joints becomes even more uncomfortable, which in turn leads towards increased stiffness and a decrease in their level of physical activity. That is how the cycle of arthritis keeps going on and on, unless we do something about it. Read more on how we treat Arthritis here.

This is a question that we get a lot! To answer it, here at TheK9PT, we do not use the underwater treadmill as a form of treatment for several reasons as rehabilitation is much more than one modality of treatment, and underwater treadmill is just one small piece of the puzzle. The premise of the underwater treadmill is that the buoyancy of the water will decrease the effects of gravity and thus assist with gait training. The water height can be adjusted in relation to the patient—the higher the water level, the less body weight the patient uses. However, although its use could be beneficial in a minority of cases, the reality is that underwater treadmill is vastly over-used in the field of canine rehabilitation and most of the time, dogs recover much better from injury or surgery without using an underwater treadmill in their rehabilitation program. For even more in depth information, please follow this link where we discuss The About Underwater Treadmill.

Not only are pet parents allowed in each and every session, we encourage it! We pride ourselves on educating pet parents with at home exercises they can do and make you a big part of the treatment plan!

The K9PT Difference

  • We listen to YOU. We spend time learning about your pup’s unique issues and needs, your concerns, and your goals to get your pup as healthy as possible. We know that you are the expert on your pup.

  • Fear free approach. TheK9PT is dedicated not only to your pet’s physical well being, but their mental well being as well. We place a priority on building trust with all our patients by not forcing them into situations outside of their comfort zone in order to foster an environment where our patients are excited and eager to participate.

  • Education. We place a heavy emphasis on educating our pet parents to empower them with life-long strategies to help improve their pet’s quality of life.

  • Payment plan options. Our various payment plans allow you to choose what is best for you and your budget.

  • No “cookie-cutter” approach. Your pup’s recovery plan will be created specifically for them! No two dogs are the same, so why should their plan of care be the same?